Sun shade



g- 1965 T. F. AU CLAIRE, sR., ETAL 3,197,820

SUN SHADE Filed Sept. 6. 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet Z 16.30 60 36 11 5a 66 A 58a 4 4,

AT-rozA/EYs 965 T. F. AU CLAIRE, sR., ETAL 3,197,820

SUN SHADE Filed Sept. 6, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS E4 YMOA/D M.BECKER AA/D BY 72/500025 EAL/614M235: 77/042071, mefim'wmfaflwmmdwmUnited States Patent 3,197,829 SUN SHADE Theodore F. Au Claire, Sr., andRaymond M. Becker, Petoslrey, Mich, assignors to Permalum Industries,Inc., Harbor Springs, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 6,1963, Ser. No. 307,118 10 Claims. (Cl. 2063) The present inventionrelates to sun shades and more particularly to architectural structuresof the type utilized for shading areas from the rays of the sun yetallowing air to freely flow through the structure.

The invention has for a primary object the provision of a new andimproved sun shade which is constructed of a plurality of joinedtogether, longitudinal strips of fiat material which are bent in amanner to provide an integral structure which is light, strong and easyand economical to fabricate.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new andimproved sun shade of the type described in which individual strips of asingle configuration can be assembled together in a variety of ways toproduce a number of structures of different aesthetic appearances.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved sun shade of the type described in which the individualpre-formed strips are easily assembled together in an integral structureby conventional fastening means such as rivets.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved sun shade structure of the type described which can beeasily secured to supporting structures such as building posts ormullions.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionare accomplished by the provision of a new and improved sun shadestructure comprising a plurality of joined together longitudinal stripsof flat sheet material such as aluminum or other metal. Each of thestrips is bent at a plurality of positions along its length with theaxes of the bends running generally transversely to the longitudinalaxis of the strips. The strips are formed with pairs of adjacentparallel bends, the axes of adjacent pairs being non-parallel to oneanother forming a series of alternate trapezoidal and parallelogrammicalsegments along the strips. The trapezoidal segments can be alternatelyof narrow and wide configuration along the length of the strips andadjacent strips can be positioned relative to one another in severalways more fully described in the following detailed description toproduce structures having dilferent aesthetic appearances.

In another embodiment of the invention the bends are not sharp toproduce distinct trapezoidal segments but are gently curved to form amore flowing appearance for the structure. p

A better understanding of the present invention will be had byreference, to the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a portion of sun shadeconstructed in accordance with the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the portion of the sun shadeillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view looking in the directionof the arrows 4 of FIG. 2 illustrating one means for attaching the sunshade to a mullion or post;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a single strip utilized in the sun shade ofFIG. 1 before it is bent to shape with the axes of the bends shown indotted lines;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the stripthereof after it is bent to shape;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the bent strip of FIGL6;

. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the bent strip taken substantially alongthe line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of a sun shade constructedof the strips shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 but assembled in a differentrelation to one another than that shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2and 3;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1tllii ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of a sunshade constructed of the strips illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of still another embodiment of a sunshade constructed of strips illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l414 of FIG.13;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the sun shade of FIG. 13 looking in thedirection of the arrows 15; and

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a sun shade ofthe present invention utilizing gently curved strips rather than sharplybent strips.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 one embodiment of a sun shade constructed in accordance withthe features of the present invention and indicated generally by thereference numeral 20. The sun shade 20 is shown as it is installedvertically adjacent a vertical mullion or post 22 in a typicalinstallation wherein high angle rays from the sun are 'prevented frompenetrating an area 24 behind the structure while low angle rays and airflow is readily per .itted therethrough.

The sun shade 29 is comprised of a plurality of joined together,longitudinally extending strips 26 which are formed of a piece of flatstrip material 28 (FIG. 5). The strip 28 is bent at a plurality ofpositions along its length along a plurality of axes 3t}, 32, 34, 36,38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 (FIG. 5) extending generally transverse to alongitudinal axis 50 of the strip.

The transverse axes include pairs of adjacent axes which are arranged innon-parallel relation to one another such as the pairs 32 and 34, 36 and3%, 4t and 42, and 44 and 46 forming trapezoidal shaped segments 52, 54,56 and 58 respectively. These trapezoidal segments are isoscelestrapezoids with their parallel side of edges lying along longitudinaledges 60 and 62 of the strips 28. Also, the trapezoidal segments arepreferably sized so they comprise Wide segments 52 and 56 positionedalternately with narrow segments 54 and 58 along the length of thestrip. Formed between the segments 52, 54, 56 and 53 are addi t ionalsegments 64, 66 and 68 respectively which take the form ofparallelograms.

When the strips 26 are bent into shapes as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8they can then be assembled together to form a structure such that thesun shade 20 as well as other structures of dilferent appearance andcharacteristics to be hereinafter described.

For ease in description of the various configurations in which thestrips can be assembled to form sun shade structures, the wide trapezoidsegments will be designated withthe letter W and the narrow segmentswith the letter N. The long parallel edge of the segments W will bedesignated by the letter Z and the short edge thereof will be designatedwith letter s. The long parallel edge of the segments N will bedesignated with the letters ll and the short parallel edges thereof withthe letters ss. The parallelogram shaped segment will be designated bythe letter F.

Referring now to the sun shade 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4,the bent strips 26 are positioned with their longitudinal axes 50 inparallel relation. Adjaa cent parallel strips 26 are positioned inrelation to one another so that the segments W on one strip partiallyoverlie the segments N on an adjacent strip with the edges s of oneoverlying segment W facing in the same direction as the edge ll of thesegment N which is overlain. It will be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 thatthe sun shade 26 presents a distinct appearance different from other sunshade configurations to be described. Moreover, it can be seen from FIG.3 that only the suns rays which lie at angles less than an angle (FIG.3) will pass through the shade 20 to illuminate the area 24-. Theindividual strips 26 are aligned relative to one another with theirlongitudinal axes Stir in parallel arrangement in a common plane 82 asseen in FIG. 3 and the strips may be joined together by appropriatemeans such as rivets 84.

In order to secure the sun shade 20 between the mull'ions 22, themullions are provided with a series of slots 22a (FIG. 4) through whichextend tabs 26a provided at the ends of the strips 26. These tabs arebent over against the side of the mullion after the sun shade isproperly in place.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is illustrated another embodimentofa sun shade indicated by the reference numeral 120 which isconstructed from the individual strips 26 arranged in a difi'ferentmanner than in the sun shade 20. The strips 26 are again arranged withtheir longitudinal axes St) in parallel relation in a com: mon plane 82(FIG. 10) and it can be seen that the suns rays greater than the angle,8 will not penetrate them to the area 24 while rays at lower angles andair flow will freely pass through the sun shade 12 0. The strips may besecured together by any suitable means.

The individualstrips 26 of the sun shade 120 are arranged in relation toone another so that a segment N of one strip partially overlies asegment W of an adjacent strip. Moreover, the edges ll of the overlyingsegments N are positioned to face in the same direction as the edges sof the adjoining segments W on adjacent strips. This arrangementpresents a strikingly different appearance for the sun shade 120 incomparison to the sun shade 20 although the individual strips 26 in bothare identical.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of a sun shade 22% which is constructed from the individualstrips 26. In this embodiment the longitudinal axes d of the strips areagain in parallel relation in a common plane 82 but the angle is muchgreater than in the previous embodiments allowing amuch greater passageof light. 1 In the sun shade 220 the individual strips 26 are arrangedwith their segments W and N lying in parallel planes which are normal tothe common plane 82 and the segments N and W on one strip are arrangedto completely overlie the segments N and W respectively on. an adjacentstrip. The sun shade 220 is different in appearance from either of thetwo previously described embodiments.

. Referring now to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 there is illustrated yet. anotherembodiment of a sun shade 32th which is constructed from the individualstrips 26. In this embodiment the longitudinal axes 50 of the strips areagain arranged in parallel relation however the axes of adja cent stripsare staggered'so that they lie alternately in parallel planes 82a and82b respectively (FIG. 15). The segments W on the strips are positionedto partially overlie segments N on adjacent strips with the edges s ofthe overlying segments W facing in the same direction as the edges ss ofadjacent segments W. The strips 26 are positioned with their segments Wand N lying in parallel planes which are normal to the planes 82m and82b and the strips can be easily joined together in any suitable mannersuch as by riveting. Again the sun shade 32% presents a differentappearance than the three previously described embodiments although thesame strips 26 are utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 16 there is illustrated another embodiment of asun shade 420 which is comprised of strips 26a which are slightlydifferent in configuration than the strips 26 previously described. Thestrips 26a are formed of thin flat strip material having bends at aplurality of positions along the length thereof. The bends are not sharpas in the case of the strips 26 but are gentle and flowing and includepairs of adjacent non-parallel general axes such as axes $5, es and 88indicated on FIG. 16 of the drawings. Accordingly, the strips aredivided into somewhat trapezoidal shaped segments W and N which areroughly similar to the trapezoidal segments N and W previouslydescribed. Again, the sun shade 420 is diiferent in appearance than theother embodiments previously described although the strips 26a areformed with the same basic principle as the strips 26.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited theretosince many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplatedby the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

l. A sun shade comprising a plurality of joined together, longitudinallyextending strips having longitudinal axes arranged in parallel relationto one another, each of said strips formed of a piece of flat materialand having bends therein at a plurality of positions along the lengththereof on axes generally transverse of'said longitudinal axis, saidtransverseaxes including pairs of adjacent axes extending innon-parallel relation to one another to form trapezoidal shaped segmentsin said strips, said strips positioned relative to one another so thatsegments in adjacent strips partially overlie one another and arepartially offset from one another.

2. A sun shade comprising a plurality of joined together, longitudinallyextending strips having longitudinal axes arranged in parallel relationto one another, each of said strips formed of a piece of fiat materialand having bends therein at a plurality of positions along the lengththereof on axes generally transverse of said longitudinal axis, saidtransverse axes including pairs of adjacent axes extending innon-parallel relation to one another to form a plurality of trapezoidalshaped narrow segments and wide segments, positioned alternately alongthe length of each strip, said strips adjoined relative to one anotherso that a narrow segment on one strip partially overlies and is adjacentto a wide segment onan adjacent strip and so that the lastmentionednarrow segment is partially offset from the lastrnentionedwide segment.

3. A sun shade as defined in claim 2 wherein said strips are positionedrelative to one another so that the narrow segments in one strip adjoinand partially overlie the wide segments in an adjacent strip.

4. A sun shade as defined in claim 3 wherein the long and short edges ofadjoining segments in adjacent strips face in the same direction.

5. A sun shade as defined in claim 4 wherein adjacent strips arealternately staggered outwardly with the edges of adjoining adjacentsegments lying in parallel relation to one another.

6. A sun shade as defined in claim 2 wherein said narrow and widesegments are isosceles trapezoids with the parallel edges thereof lyingalong longitudinal edges of said strips.

7. A sun shade as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said narrow andwide segments include a long and a short parallel edge, said stripspositioned relative to one another .so that a short parallel edge on awide segment is faced in the same direction as a long parallel edge on anarrow segment of an adjoining adjacent strip and the long paralleledges of said adjoining segments face in opposite directions.

8. A sun shade as defined in claim 6 wherein said t-rapezoids areseparated by parallelograms.

'9. A sun shade as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said narrow andwide segments includes a long and a short parallel edge, said stripspositioned relative to one another so that a long parallel edge on anarrow segment of one strip is faced in the same direction as a shortparallel edge on a wide segment of an adjoining adjacent strip and theshort parallel edges of said adjoining segments face in oppositedirections.

10. A sun shade as defined in claim 9 wherein fastening means areprovided for securing said adjoining segments of adjacent stripstogether positioned between the short parallel edges thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,990,923 7/61Macias-Sarria 18963 3,045,325 7/ 62 Mabie 1'8982 X 3,072,230 1/ 63Gelert 18982 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

1. A SUN SHADE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF JOINED TOGETHER, LONGITUDINALLYEXTENDING STRIPS HAVING LONGITUDINALLY AXES ARRANGED IN PARALLELRELATION TO ONE ANOTHER, EACH OF SAID STRIPS, FORMED OF A PIECE OF FLATMATERIAL AND HAVING BENDS THEREIN AT A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS ALONG THELENGTH THEREOF ON AXES GENERALLY TRANSVERSE OF SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS,SAID TRANSVERSE AXES INCLUDING PAIRS OF ADJACENT AXES EXTENDING INNON-PARALLEL RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER TO FORM TRAPEZOIDAL SHAPED SEGMENTSIN SAID STRIPS, SAID STRIPS POSITIONED RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER SO THATSEGMENTS IN ADJACENT STRIPS PARTIALLY OVERLIE ONE ANOTHER AND AREPARTIALLY OFFSET FROM ONE ANOTHER.